What’s the Difference Between Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel?

Tendonitis refers to inflammation of the tendons that link the muscles to the bones in your hand and wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist.

Both tendonitis and carpal tunnel are frequent overuse injuries and can produce discomfort around the wrist and hand.

Carpal tunnel commonly produces neurological complaints such as numbness or tingling in the fingers, while tendonitis tends to produce localized pain centered on a specific tendon in the hand, fingers, or wrist.

Read on to understand how these two conditions overlap and how they differ.

Tendonitis vs. carpal tunnel symptoms

Below are the typical signs associated with tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tendonitis symptoms

Symptoms of tendonitis commonly include:

• pain concentrated over a tendon
• difficulty moving the affected joint
• a popping or snapping sensation coming from the joint
• warmth, redness, or weakness around the joint

Carpal tunnel symptoms

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually progress over time and may include:

• numbness, tingling, or burning in the palm, thumb, and first three fingers
• pain in the hand, thumb, or first three fingers
• electric shock–like sensations in the fingers
• weakness or clumsiness of the hand

Learn more about the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

What causes tendonitis vs. carpal tunnel syndrome?

Both conditions most often arise from repetitive use.

Tendonitis causes and risk factors

Tendonitis commonly results from repeated strain on one or more tendons and is frequently seen in athletes and active individuals. Other risk factors for tendon problems include:

• use of corticosteroids
• kidney failure
• diabetes
• prior tendon rupture
• use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics

Certain jobs and activities may also raise the chance of wrist or hand tendonitis, such as:

• typing
• assembly-line work
• meat processing
• manufacturing
• knitting
• playing piano
• excessive texting or phone use

Carpal tunnel causes and risk factors

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed. Factors that increase risk include:

• pregnancy
• a naturally small carpal tunnel (genetic)
• frequent repetitive bending of the wrist and hand
• underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes

When to contact a doctor

See a healthcare professional if you develop persistent pain or troubling symptoms such as numbness and tingling in your fingers that don’t improve within a couple of weeks. Prompt medical attention is also warranted if your symptoms worsen.

Diagnosing tendonitis and carpal tunnel

To begin diagnosis, a clinician may:

• ask about your symptoms
• review your personal and family medical history
• conduct a physical examination

During the exam, your provider might:

• press on areas of your hand and wrist
• have you perform specific movements
• use Tinel’s sign, tapping or pressing along the median nerve
• flex your wrists to check for nerve-related signs

Additional tests may include:

• MRI scans
• X-rays
• electromyography (EMG)

Tendonitis vs. carpal tunnel treatment

Common approaches to treating tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are outlined below.

Tendonitis treatment

Tendonitis often improves with self-care measures, such as:

• resting the affected tendon for 2 to 3 days
• applying ice to the tendon for up to 20 minutes every 2–3 hours
• using an elastic bandage to compress the wrist
• taking over-the-counter pain medications

A physiotherapist or other clinician can design an exercise plan to safely restore strength.

Severe or chronic tendonitis may require additional interventions such as steroid injections or surgery.

Carpal tunnel treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome can often be managed without surgery using:

• wrist braces or splints
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• specific exercises
• resting the affected wrist
• platelet-rich plasma injections
• steroid injections

If conservative measures fail, surgery may be recommended as a last option.

Learn more about home remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Recovering from tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome

Here’s an overview of recovery timelines for both conditions.

Tendonitis recovery

Mild tendonitis can often resolve in 2 to 3 weeks. Recovery after hand tendon repair may take roughly 12 weeks, and regaining full movement can take up to 6 months.

Carpal tunnel recovery

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often improve within weeks of treatment. After surgery, it may take about 6 to 12 months to fully recover sensation in the fingertips.

Can you prevent tendonitis or carpal tunnel?

Steps that may lower your chance of tendonitis include:

• warming up before activity and stretching after
• using correctly sized sports equipment, such as a properly fitted racket
• working with a coach or trainer to refine technique
• taking regular breaks from repetitive activities
• gradually increasing exercise load rather than sudden spikes

Measures that may reduce the risk of carpal tunnel include:

• frequent breaks from wrist-intensive tasks
• switching to a different keyboard or mouse
• regular wrist stretches throughout the day
• consulting a doctor early if wrist pain occurs
• improving wrist posture while working

Frequently asked questions about tendonitis and carpal tunnel

Below are common questions people ask about these conditions.

Can tendonitis cause tingling in the hands?

Tendonitis can cause tingling if swelling near a tendon compresses a nearby nerve.

Can carpal tunnel be misdiagnosed as tendonitis?

Because both are common, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis can sometimes be mistaken for one another.

What’s the difference between carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and arthritis?

Arthritis refers to conditions that inflame or hurt a joint. Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve beneath the wrist.

Takeaway

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve and typically causes pain and tingling in the wrist and fingers. Tendonitis is inflammation of a wrist tendon usually caused by repetitive strain.

Both conditions are often managed conservatively, with surgery reserved for more severe or persistent cases.